When the crew of the RACQ Capricorn Rescue 300 helicopter realised they did not have a sling small enough for the baby boy, they decided to put him in a sports bag to winch him to safety.

He reached the helicopter distressed and crying, but unhurt. The women were also winched to safety.

With potentially deadly conditions expected to continue into Monday, Police Minister Jack Dempsey was blunt, telling Queenslanders not to let stupidity cost someone a life.

‘‘I have swift water rescue crews still going to unnecessary people who are playing in creeks and drains,’’ Mr Dempsey said.

‘‘We have police attending and being taken away from other emergency issues because of people simply going out sightseeing and looking at areas.

‘‘Let police and other emergency services and our hardworking volunteers get on with the job of looking after their communities."

On Sunday afternoon, almost 80,000 people were without power in the southeast corner alone.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said every avenue of assistance would be offered to the state, after the Insurance Council of Australia declared a catastrophe for large parts of Queensland.

With the extent of the damage still unfolding, ICA chief executive Rob Whelan said a catastrophe declaration meant an industry taskforce would help coordinate the response.

‘‘Insurers are greatly concerned about extreme weather expected over the next few days in Queensland, with severe inundation already having been experienced in several towns and cities, and major flood warnings now in place for every river from Cairns to the border,’’ he said.

‘‘Unfortunately, this catastrophe declaration is the result of the first cyclone to come close to the coast this season, and the weather bureau has warned it’s highly possible we will see more before the end of summer.’’

27 Jan
A helicopter crew has filmed its efforts in a dramatic rescue late Saturday involving a vehicle carrying two women and a 14-month-old baby that was washed off a flooded road near the Dawson Highway at Biloela.

28 Jan
The heavy rainfall in the wake of cyclone Oswald that has caused widespread flooding in Queensland is forecast to hit Sydney on Monday afternoon, just as long-weekend holiday makers return to the city.